Hi all,
This is my first post so I'll try and be as thorough as possible.
Seems like alot of people in here have the sort of knowledge that could ultimately save me time and money, now thats what I call value for no-money!
Seriously though, I've spent the last good few hours checking out some strings within these humble pages and have found some really interesting reads (mostly ended up reading something completely unrelated to what I've been looking for, probably because my issue has been driving me nuts and to be honest, am finding it difficult to approach the whole-subject without the frustration setting back in!)
Anyway, enough about me, heres what I've been struggling with....
First I'll jot down my sys:
ASUS A7N8X REV 2.0 DELUXE ACPI bios rev 1005
KINGMAX PC3200 512MB x 2 in dual chan mode
XP 3200+ BARTON
POWERCOLOUR RADEON X800XT
MAUDIO AUDIOPHILE
SB AUDIGY
ENERMAX 460W PSU
My issue started the day I decided to upgrade from a 2800+ to a 3200+.
I'm pretty sure it is related to the fact I need a 400fsb (I say Im sure but thats a wild guess at best!) for the new chip to function at its default.
I set the multiplier to 12.5 and the fsb to 200 which I'm sure is correct in bios and it just wont run. When it does go into windows, as soon as I start up any heavy duty app, especially games, far cry and HL2 for example, the sys restarts.
I have checked the bios is up to par and according to the asus website its OK for 400fsb from the prior version im using. I have also spent alot of time in the AMD forums before coming here and asking for some help or opinions.
Heres some things I've tried that was no use to save time and help in the process of elimination:
Exchanging memory from another system (Geil Value pc3200)
Exhanging power supplies (Zalman 400W)
Playing with voltage settings
Taken the cpu out and checked the cpu fan was propry installed. Also ensured I never over did it on the thermal paste
Exchanged the graphic card for less power hungry Asus Geforce fx5700 256mb
Confirmed my chip is not a fake 2500+ (its retail version)
Well, after all that, the best recommendation I could find elsewhere was to replace the MB for an Abit NF7-S v2.0 nForce2. That is the board with the least amount of problems coupled with an ambudence of options in the bios apparently (by the way I was told if I did that, I would not have to reformat my HDs - big selling point -as the chipsets are the same - that was a valuable bit of info if its true??? right there)
Soemthing else that may help?? I can run it as a Xp2500 no problems what-so-ever but surely that defeats my whole objective, huh!
If anyone has any clue as to what I could do to save me a few £ss then that would be greatly appreciated.
Melvin